Only about 15 years late to the party, I’ve purchased and fallen in love with my e-reader (a Kobo black-and-white). It’s lighter for the commute, easier for my eyes at night, and even integrates with my local library membership to borrow e-books! Here’s what I’ve been reading…
Gillian McAllister – Wrong Place Wrong Time (2022)
It may be clear from my book blogs by now that I lean fairly heavily towards non-fiction. However, McAllister had me hooked from the first chapter!
This is a combination of sci-fi time loops, murder mystery, family relationships, and second chances – with an expert blend of suspense, intrigue, and humour.
Despite clearly breaking the rules of time, there’s sharp and witty kitchen-sink observations which ground the plot in something closer to reality; serving to make the dramatic twists and turns almost believable.
McAllister’s language never strays in to the realm of being convoluted or flowery, making the narrative easier to follow (and the book harder to put down!).
While (with the territory of time loops) there is a slight sense of repetition, I have absolutely no hesitation in crowning this my favourite book I’ve read this year – so far!
Anthony Seldon – May at 10: The Verdict (2019)
Well, I had to read about May in May, didn’t I?
Seldon has promptly reviewed the performance of every Prime Minister since Major, and May’s makes for infuriating reading. This is no slight on Seldon’s superb and largely accessible work, but rather the content.
Theresa May is the first Prime Minister during the years I’ve actively engaged with politics. Apologies to anyone reading who I’ve made feel old. Seldon lifting the lid on just how chaotic the premiership was on the inside brings back some formative political memories of how chaotic it looked on the outside.
While yes, we do not have a presidential system – there is something deeply wrong and fundamentally flawed about the system by which May ascended to Downing Street.
Unlike Johnson and Truss, May was not even elected by the famously diverse and representative-of-the-country Tory party membership.
As Seldon explains, crucially, the lack of leadership election did not give May adequate time to prepare for the role, and the poor design of the referendum meant there was no obvious mandate for what Brexit would entail.
Seldon carefully examines shows how she was both dealt a difficult hand, and undermined her own success with an inept operation. He is balanced throughout and does fairly highlight the moments, such as the Salisbury poisonings and later dealings with Trump, where she was able to show genuinely strong values and leadership.
May only postponed Johnson’s seemingly inevitable coronation and worse premiership, deepening the chaos and division of the poorly engineered referendum.
Oh, and speaking of Johnson…
Rob Burley – Why is this Lying Bastard Lying to me? (2023)
Perhaps appropriately following on from the “Brexit means Brexit” era, Burley’s book takes an insider look at the art form that is the political interview – exploring how they are becoming increasingly frustrating for viewers with non-answers.
As a long-time editor of several flagship shows, Burley is uniquely placed to offer his take on how the interviews work, and recalls significant moments of politicians tying themselves in knots – as well as flawed questions or judgement from the other side of the desk.
The book begins with perhaps an all-time low of a Prime Minister hiding in a fridge to avoid questions – and looks back, through the lens of Burley’s career, at key moments from nearly 40 years of political interviews. Burley even-handedly explores where the lack of accountability began to creep in with a mix of explanations, personal anecdotes, and gentle humour along the way.
His own frustrations with those in power both at the BBC and Downing Street are very clear to see, particularly around the 2019 general election – as he makes a passionate plea to retain the long-form interview, arguing throughout the book that voters are otherwise being let down by both broadcasters and politicians.
Honourable mentions
Andrew Seaton’s Our NHS (2023) explores the history of the wonderful, if in constant crisis, National Health Service – from creation through to badly botched attempts at marketisation, and how it has become a key part of the UK’s cultural identity.
Top stock photo credit: Engin Akyurt
